An example of metaphor and anthropomorphism in popular science writing,
"Some signals are proactive, for example when cells periscope from their surface a receptor called ULBP (UL16-binding protein). Any NK cell that finds itself shaking hands with a ULBP receptor knows it has found a stressed-out cell. The same is true if the NK cell extends its receptors to the cell only to find it omits parts of the secret-handshake expected from a normal cell."
Carver, C. (2017). Immune. How your body defends and protects you. Bloomsbury Sigma. Read about the extensive use of figurative language in this book: Disease and immunity – a biological myth.
That a NK cell can 'find itself' 'shaking hands with a ULBP receptor' seems to suggest some form of awareness. That the cell 'knows' what it has found also can be seen as anthropomorphism as we do not normally consider cells as being sentient and capable of knowing things.
Read examples of anthropomorphism in science
